Sunday, September 30, 2012

October 1st

Today I have been blogging about life in the north woods for one year. I am very proud  that I didn't miss a day.   I am in my third year of living in Minnesota. I had noticed immediately that Minnesota had many differences from living in North Dakota.  One being climate.  Please wind don't blow everyday like I had it in Beach.  Trees being another difference.  If you think Paul Bunyan is an appropriate mascot to represent Bemidji.  Just think what a good mascot he wold make for North Dakota.  Just look around you.  He got most of the trees harvested there.  He only got a good start in Minnesota on the western boarder. I was really moved to write as I continued to see all the differences and all the adjustments that I had to make. 

I think that I have talked about just about every topic.  Of course, most of what I do weekly is featured.  One of the main underlying themes is there is certainly a lot to do in this area.  Much of it is inexpensive with a down home flare. 

With this project.one thing that was brought to the forefront was that I should have listened closer in Galloway's and Norgaard's English classes. Mrs. Schroeder (1st - 4th grades) and Mrs. Haaverson (5th to 8th grades) really gave me a good foundation on the English language in grade school.  But then when you are in a room with 3 other classes you cannot help but hear the lessons over and over. Then you move the upper grades and there are four grades in that room too.  Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Anyway I am celebrating a big accomplishment today.  Not only am I doing something that I completely enjoy, but I have readers who completely enjoy my blog.  Thank you for helping me fulfill this dream of mine.  And happy reading for the year to come.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Planning meeting at Arla's



 
My homemakers club met this past Monday to plan the year of activities. We planned a great roster of activities.  It sounds a lot like last years roster.  Okay, it's exactly the same.  We feel that if it not broken why fix it.  There are thirteen clubs in this area.  The State of Minnesota decided not to fund this part of the extension program.   Not that they did much anyway.  A few programs a year that we could check out and use as the learning part of our program.   Anyway, the programs will be ready for use at our next meeting.  As a learning circle we have an educational portion of our meeting, but our main focus is on helping others in the community.  They are the Christmas dinner for the area shut-ins, a Halloween party for the area kids, Easter baskets for the needy, and a pie social on a Sunday afternoon in July.  It is a fun to give of yourself.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Coffeeology

This is for coffee lovers

Espresso yourself
Better latte than never
Take life one cup at a time
So many blends so little time
Friends don't let friends drink bad coffee
Take time to smell the coffee
and finally
Deja Brew:  The feeling you've had this coffee before.......


Last but not least today is my birthday.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

favorite quilt to make

 
 
 
 
 


 
This is a rag quilt.  I really like doing them as they are a quilt as you go project.  Each square is made and quilted before it is attached to the one next to it.  The quilting is an X sewn in the middle of each block.  After it is sewn together you have to clip all the seams every quarter inch.  This allows the    quilt to fray and make a delightful curling around each block. Then take them to the commercial machines at the laundromat.  The amount of fibers that come off the quilt is major.  You don't want the fibers in your washer or dryer.  Then after they are dry you use a lint roller on them to get the fibers that just are too stubborn to come off.  I have a pet brush on my vacuum cleaner that I use.  It does the job very nicely. They are made of flannel so they are soft and warm.  What a wonderful pattern.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

deciduous trees

These are my three token deciduous trees in my yard

the rest are evergreens.
My acre of land has forty to fifty trees on it.  No real shade trees.  I have to tell you that it is very easy to use my sweeper to prepare for lawn in the spring.  I usually find time to rake up the leaves in the fall too.  I do have a plan brewing in my mind to remove a cedar and three jack pines  by my  steel building and replace them with a split rail fence and three trees spread out the expanse of the two to three sections of fence.  I need to really think about it as it just isn't easy for me to cut down trees.  But these 4 trees need to go.  They were planted too close  and they are ugly.  So I will continue thinking about it and try to figure out a fast growing, nice looking deciduous tree.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Buzz

 
He was my friend.
 
Sentinel Butte: Albert "Buzz" Olson, age 77, of Sentinel Butte passed away on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive, Montana.  A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sentinel Butte with Pastor J.T. Burk officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Sentinel Butte Cemetery in Sentinel Butte. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Beach has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Buzz was born on May 19, 1935 in Sentinel Butte, the son of Edward Arnold and Anna Dagny (Johnson) Olson. He was raised and educated in Sentinel Butte attending elementary school a mile and half away from where he grew up. He attended Sentinel Butte High School in Sentinel Butte, graduating with the class of 1953. He enlisted in the United States Army in January of 1955 in Golden Valley County. He was honorably discharged from military service in December of 1956.
Buzz married Delores Myrtle (Coyle) on April 12, 1958 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sentinel Butte. To this union they had four children, Rick, Sue, Brian and Cindy.
Buzz was a very dedicated, hard worker and was employed as Postmaster for the Sentinel Butte Post Office for thirty years. Buzz was also involved with the Sentinel Butte Fire Department for fifty years, and for many years was active on the cemetery board and church council.
Buzz enjoyed going for long drives in the country, stopping to visit with friends and family, and camping and visiting campsites. He loved Sentinel Butte and was proud to show strangers Sentinel Butte hill.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Anna Olson and one nephew, Ray Bargfeld.
Buzz is survived by his wife, Delores of Sentinel Butte; four children, Rick (Wanda) Olson of Sentinel Butte, Sue (Ron) Feldman of Sentinel Butte, Brian (Brenda) Olson of Springfield, Illinois and Cindy (Mark Jandt) Neumiller of Sentinel Butte; eight grandchildren, Brandy Feldman, Travis Olson, Darin Olson, Brent Feldman, Mikel Olson, Lindsay Olson, Adam Olson and Jordan Neumiller; one sister, Marion (Tiny) Bargfeld of Columbus, Montana; one brother, Jim (Marcella) Olson of Sentinel Butte and numerous nieces and nephews.

Monday, September 24, 2012

grandbaby in November


Jamon painted the walls this weekend.


My daughter-in-law made the mistake of asking how my son would like to see the nursery  decorated.  He wanted camouflage curtains and brown and plaid crib blanket and a big green  fish on the wall.  Can you see that he is a fisherman.  His motto is that a bad day of fishing beats a good day at work anytime.  His wife and I went to the fabric store here in Bemidji and bought fabric for the camo curtains and the satin backed blanket with brown minke and plaid flannel as seen above.  After I got those done and sent to them I heard that that left the big green fish.  His wife put her foot down and said no big green fish.  Of course I love to spoil both of them so the quilt you see below which has nine fish on it was hand embroidered for them.  It has camo borders and the green plaid flannel on the back.  They haven't received it yet, but soon will.

Sunday in church the Gospel struck me as one that I needed to share with them.  It is from Mark 9:36-37.  Then He (Jesus) took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, He said to them,   Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me,  I know that we are all anxious to welcome God's gift into our family.  Then I can stop spoiling his parents and focus just on him.


Sunday, September 23, 2012

Quilt presentation


 
 
The First Lutheran Quilters wanted to donate three quilts to the new owner of the Habitat house that First Lutheran patrons helped build.  I call it the house that God built.  They picked out the three quilts and told us to get them to Ashley at an appropriate time.  Friday Barb and I went Ashley's home and presented her with the quilts.  She was very excited to recieve the quilts and they seemed to fit in the the decor of the rooms.  It was very rewarding to see the happiness on her face when she looked at each one.  What a blessed moment.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

PBVAC at my home



 
 









 
PBVAC met at my home for Thursday's cruise.  There were forty people there. What an appropriate place to have our snack -- in my garage.  It's heated so we were all warm and cozy.  I had chairs for 30 people so ten had to stand.  Nobody  seemed to mind.   I had invited my two nephews to come and bring their families so they could look at the cars.  They seemed to fit in and enjoy themselves.  We all ate ice cream, cookies, coffee, lemonade and apple cider.   Friday starts my real work.  That is to change my party room into a garage again.  The prius is just anxious to get in after being outside for so long as I worked on my garage.  Also snow blower, boots,mini refrig, and shovels are all heading back to their proper places.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Fall meeting - FLCW






FLCW held their Fall gathering.  The purpose of this meeting was the installation of officers.  The dessert was delicious it was a butterscotch pudding  with whipped topping and nuts. We saw a slide  show with nature pictures put to scripture.  It was very inspiring.  We had special music which sounded heavenly.  One nice thing about this meeting was the warm fellowship with the women of my church.  I have truely made many friends here at First Lutheran.  It was interesting when Tal, my nephew after meeting my church friends over the last three years told me that your church friends seem like they are family. Out of the mouth of babes.    

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Circle at my house

For candy favors
 


 
 
 


This is what glutin free pumpkin pie looks like.
 




 
 
 
 
Our lesson was on gathering.  It contained the references from Genesis to Revelations all the times gather was mentioned.  The main message was that God is always with us.  Where ever you gather in 2 or more persons God will be there.  That is conforting.  We had a great time studying this lesson.  We ate pumpkin pie and drink apple cider.  What fun.  I really enjoyed the preparation for this time together.  I enjoyed the time Mary circle members spent at my house.  Both the candy holders and the acorns were a hit. 

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Hard frost




The sheet that is blue is navy.  It has so much frost it looks white in some places. 
Wouldn't you know that a hard frost would be the night before my first party this week. I have guest coming over Wednesday and Thursday. I covered everything that was left after the lst frost and I hope it was enough as I cannot take the covers of until after 9:00. I really have a hard time letting go of the flowers.  But no more covering for me.  What ever happens now is what happens. My neighbor walked by while I was covering.  She said she let hers go this time.